Free Sundancer by Shelley Peterson

feelings.”
    Bird looked at Kimberly. You’re catching on.
    Hannah nodded. “Good girl, Kimberly. You remembered from last night. Bird has feelings, just like each of you. She doesn’t talk, so she registers her hurt and displeasure in other ways.” Hannah turned to face Bird. “Not that I condone violence in any form, Bird. You know better.”
    â€œEveryone owes everyone else an apology. Now let’s shake hands all around so we can head out for a ride. It’s a beautiful day.”
    Here we go again, thought Bird, as she reluctantly shook hands with Hannah’s students. Most muttered an apology, but only Kimberly looked at her when she spoke. Bird acknowledged her effort with a small smile. To her delight, Kimby smiled back.
    Half an hour later, they emerged from the stable one at a time, leading their clean and unbraided horses. Bird listened as they chatted about the latest coloured leg wraps and special flexible stirrups. Everyone wanted the newest thing in saddle pads, and no one could stand the old hard riding caps. Just as they were mounting their horses, Kimberly’s mother arrived in her black Suburban.
    â€œOh, no!” exclaimed Kimberly.
    â€œHide me!” This is going to get interesting, thought Bird.
    â€œToo late. She saw you,” whispered Melanie.
    â€œKimberly!” called Lavinia Davies. “Get in the car.”
    â€œWe’re just leaving for a hack, Mom. Please can I go? Please?”
    â€œI don’t think so, Kimberly.” She glanced impatiently at her diamond watch. “I’m running late.”
    Bird looked at Hannah and saw her own feelings mirrored in her aunt’s face. Who did this woman think she was? First, she abandons her daughter for an entire night. Then, she shows up and demands that Kimberly leave. Bird glanced at her sort-of friend. Kimby looked as if she were about to cry. In a rush, Bird remembered Eva’s late-night call. She knew just how Kimberly felt.
    â€œGood morning, Lavinia,” Hannah said from the shiny black back of Charlie, her Percheron thoroughbred hunt horse. Bird smiled. Hannah wasn’t even trying to hide the anger in her voice.
    â€œOh, Hannah, so sorry about last night. I couldn’t quite manage to drop around. But I know you understand.”
    Hannah responded, “Actually, you’re quite right. I understand perfectly.”
    â€œYou’re a sport, Hannah. Kimberly, let’s go.”
    Before Kimberly could open her mouth, Hannah spoke again. “Lavinia, you said you’d pick Kimberly up yesterday at the horse show. You’re a day late. We’ll be no more than an hour.”
    Without acknowledging the astonished look on Lavinia’s face, Hannah turned her horse toward the open field. Bird grinned broadly. Good for you, Hannah, she thought. It’s about time you grew a backbone.
    Peter on Zachary followed close behind Hannah, then Melanie on Radar, Jo on Gem, Bird on Jeremy, with Kimberly at the rear on Pastor.
    They trotted across the field and slowed to a walk down the rocky path at the edge of the woods. Ducking branches, the horses waded across the shallow, muddy Saddle Creek. They picked up a controlled canter once they were on firmer ground. One by one, following Hannah, they jumped the old fallen log, then a wooden coop, and found themselves skirting a growth of fir trees beside a meadow. Down a grassy slope at a brisk trot they went, then cantered along the path into another woods. Bird loved this area. It was full of jumps where trees and limbs had fallen across the path. Singles, in-and-outs, triples, all under two feet high, but difficult because there were so many.
    You’re a good horse, Jeremy . Bird gave her mount a firm pat on the neck. I like riding you .
    Thanks. I try my best .
    What do you think of the new horse?
    He’s nothing but trouble. He thinks he’s too good for us. Put me in a field with him and I’ll kick the